Manny Pacquiao set to fight Amir Khan in UAE on May 20 assuming both ‘approve’ date change

Manny Pacquiao, left, and Amir Khan, right, are edging closer to a fight, expected to take place in the UAE. Steve Marcus / Reuters

A bout between Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan looks to be set for May 20 in the UAE following a meeting between the Filipino boxer’s personal adviser, Michael Koncz, and his promoter, Bob Arum, on Tuesday.

Pacquiao, 38, and Khan, 30, fuelled talk of a showdown between the pair last week after posting on their respective Twitter accounts that terms had been agreed.

The UAE has been the frontrunner to host the fight since the joint announcement, although the United States and England had also been mentioned as potential locations.

Koncz told The National via text message last week: "I have no statement at this time other than to confirm that yes that is Manny's tweet and we have come to terms to fight Amir Khan. With [Khan] and his team perhaps I will give more in depth statement next week."

Koncz did later add, though, that “Yes, the fight will be held in the UAE”.

However, Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank, the promotion company tasked with organising Pacquiao's fights, insisted this week no decision had been made and that discussions with Koncz would take place to determine "the best move for Manny".

Following those talks, Koncz has revealed that the UAE will host the fight and it will take place in May, subject to the approval of Pacquiao and Khan.

"We decided to move it to ... May 20 in the United [Arab] Emirates so we'd have time to promote it properly and make it a huge success," Koncz told Yahoo Sports. "I have to talk to both fighters [on Wednesday] to get them to approve going in May instead of in April. I don't think that will be any problem."

Koncz also addressed the logistics of putting on a fight in the UAE where not only the time difference — 12 hours ahead of Las Vegas — will play a part, but the fact Sunday morning represents the first day of the work week, meaning a bout that would be broadcast on the traditional Saturday evening slot would be impractical.

“We just want to do the best and the biggest fight we can, and this makes a lot of sense for so many reasons,” Koncz said. “We’ll be able to properly promote it and while it will be a Friday in the US, it will be a Saturday there.

“We were going to do it originally on a Sunday there, but that’s the start of their work week and we didn’t feel at the end of the day that would make as much sense. Their weekends are Friday-Saturday and putting the fight on Sunday when everyone was going back to work seemed like it might be a problem.

“Friday is a different night [than most PPV cards are held in the US], but remember how big the Friday Night Fights used to be? We have the time now to promote it properly and I think we have the right fight, so I think it will do well.”

* The National staff

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport